Face protector



March 24 19424 M. Fl-:ILER 2,277,090

FACE vPROTECTOR Filed May 3, 1959 4 sheets-sheet 1 un wav Feu. En,

March 24, 1942. M FElLER 2,277,090

' FACE PROTECTOR Filed May 3, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet -2 Maul/uv reuen:

M. FEILER 2,277,090

FACE PROTECTOR March 24, 1942.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May s, 1959 March 24, 1942. M. FEILER 2,277,090

FACE "PROTECTOR Filed May 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE FACE PROTECTOR Malwin Feler, New York, N. Y.

Application May 3, 1939, Serial No. 271,569

, (c1. z si 6 Claims.

This invention is directed to a face protector especially adapted to protect the face of an industrial worker.

An object of the invention is to construct a face protector of simple elements and of light weight.

Another object of the invention is to construct a face protector which is spaced from the face of the wearer to provide adequate ventilation between the face and the shield and to prevent clouding of the shield.

A further object of the invention is to construct a face protector which, through novel means, may readily be removed from in front of the face without the necessity of removing the shield from the head.

A further object of the invention is to construct a face protector of simple slidable and/or turnable elements which can be continually worn without fatiguing the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to lprovide a novel means for spacing the protector from the face in a manner not to bother the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to construct a face protector that can be continually worn with comfort so that thewearer will avail himself of the use of the protector rather than not using a protector when doing an apparently nondangerous task. d

In industrial work, such as in sand blasting, welding, and the like, it is desirable that the worker wear a face protector in order to protect his face, particularly the eyes, from flying particles. The protectors are usually transparent and impervious in order to protect the respiratory organs from dust, which, when inhaled, creates ill eiects, particularly irritation of the mucous membranes and pulmonary diseases. Prior art protectors are generally disadvantageous inasmuch as they are heavy, hot, and bothersome, and after continual wearing destroy the eiciency of the worker. Oftentimes a worker will completely remove the protector and neglect to put it on because of the bother, when performing a task which should require the use of a protector. Furthermore, prior art protectors are generally constructed so that the breathing of the worker clouds the transparent face shield and impairs his vision.

These objections are generally overcome by the instant invention which provides a lightweight protector held spaced from the face so that ventilation can take place between the face and the face shield, and clouding of the shield by the collection of moisture thereon is avoided.v The ventilation likewise allows the head of the wearer l to remain cool, while at the same time being protected against flying particles. 'I'he protector is lightweight, and is made so that it can lbe re'- Amoved from in front of the face by either sliding or rotating the same to a position either over the head or downwardly below the face. Therefore, when the worker does not need the face shield, it 'can be temporarily removed from in front of `his face without the necessity of taking oi the head band.v

The means by which I obtain these objects is more fully described in the following specifica-v tion taken in connection with the drawings, in 1 :which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one formv of the protector.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the protector of Fig. 1 shown applied to the head of a wearer.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connection between two slidable elements of the face shield.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view showing a means for holding the elements of the face shield in position with respect to one another.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a modied form of the protector.

Fig. 6a is a side elevational view of a protectorV modied from the construction of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6b is a side elevational view of a protector furthermodified from the construction of Fig. 6.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of Fig. 6. n

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of .two elements of the face shield ofv Fig 6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view of the meansy of forming thel connection between the two elements of the face shield shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of another form of protector.

Fig. 11 is a partial plan view of Fig. 10|.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of another form of the protector. .4

Fig. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion'of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of another form of the protector.

Fig. 15 is a side sectional view of the form of Vprotector shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional View showing a detail of the hinge construction of Figs. 14 and 15.

In Fig. 1, a head band is shown at 2, which band may be made of any material such as textile or leather, and is adapted to be placed around the head of the wearer. Adjacent the forehead portion of this head band is secured a metal band 4 having legs 6, and feet 8, to hold the center portion I spaced from head band 2. Feet 8 are fastened to head band 2 by any convensides of the head band. A rearwardly extending Y reinforcing member I6 may be also provided if desired. Tracks I2 slidably support the upper part of a face shield I8. curved about the face and may be constructed of any transparent material, such synthetic plastic, Celluloid, glass, or safety glass. A lightweight metal frame 20 encloses the edges of shield I8. The connection between shield I8 and track I2 is made by means of a roller or wheel 22 pivotally connected to shield I8 through frame 20. It is thus apparent that shield I8 can be pushed from in front of the face to a position over the top of the head by means of the rollers 22 sliding in track I2. kIn order to keep the shield in its rearward position, a resilient metal spring clip 24 is placed on the inside of, and at the end of, the track I2 (note Fig. 5). This clip resiliently engages wheel 22 so that the shield can move forwardly and downwardly over the face by merely pulling the wheel 22 free of the pressure of the clip 24.

Shield I8 is shown in Figs. l and 2 depending from a position midway ofthe forehead downwardly just below the tip of the nose. It is desirable to have the shield extend downwardly below the mouth and even with, or just slightly below the chin. vTherefore the shield is extended by the addition of a second shield 26, Vwhich can be of a material similar to the shield I8, or can be Inade lof anV opaque material, such as a metal, inasmuch as this portion of the shield does not need to be transparent as does the shield I8. Shield 26 is surrounded by a lightweight metal border 28. Shield 29 can further be made of a heavy flexible material such as canvas, leather, or rubber, and can extend below the chin to protect the throat. The flexible material will yield against the breast, and thus not impede the movements of the wearer when the head is bent forwardly. The connection between shields I8 and 28 is effected by means of tracks 30 similar to tracks I2, and which are positioned on the shield I8 adjacent the temples of the wearer so that the vision of the wearer is unobstructed. Tracks 30 include at their upper ends clips 24, respectively. Wheels 22 secured to the border 28 of shield 26, allow the shield 26 to be raised to cover shield I9 (note Figs. 4 and 5). For operating the shield, knob 32 is placed on the lower Itis thus apparent thatwhen the shield is in downward position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the face of the wearer is adequately protected side of the shield 26. f

against flying particles while the operator canclearly see through the transparent portion I8. Adequate ventilation is provided by reason of the This face shield is band 4. When the operator does not desire the shield to be in front of his face, he can raise the shield by pushing upwardly on the knob 32, thus causing the shield 26 to slide in tracks 38 until the shield substantially coincides with shield I8, and is held in place by means of the Wheels 22 engaging springs 24. Further upward movement causes the shield I8, together with the shield 26, to slide in tracks I2 until the shields assume a position on top of the head, and are retained in place, again, by the clips 24 in tracks I2 engaging wheels 22 on border 28. Thus the shield is held i in compacted, out of the way position over the is constructed of transparent," non-breakable matop of the head of the operator, and because of thelightness of weight thereof, provides no burden upon the wearer. A further form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, in which the head band is again shown at 2. Depending from this head band adjacent the temples, and out of the range of vision of the operator, are tracks 34. These tracks depend downwardly to a point just below the mouth of the wearer. Tracks 34 are secured directly at their upper ends to band 2 by any conventional means, such as rivets 36. Spacing band means could be used similar to the band 4 of Fig. l. However, a second form of spacing means is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8, which could be used in the device of Fig. 1, and which comprisesthree soft rubber cushions 38 fastened to the inner side of the head band at points selected to avoid nerve pressure on the head. In other words, the cushions are located to press upon the cranium at placesA little sensitive to nerve pressure, which are the center of the forehead, and the lateral parts of the temporal bones.

Face mask 40 is shown in Fig. 6 in lowered position, so that it does not cover the eyes, nose and mouth of the operator. This face mask terial and is surrounded by a metal border 42. Secured to border 42 are square or rectangular slide members 44, which slide in the channel 34, their straight sides preventing the mask from rotating with respect to the tracks. At the upper end of the tracks, a clip 24 is again provided to hold the slides 44 in position when the mask is pushed upwardly to cover the eyes and nose of the wearer.

A curved band 35 connects the lower ends of the tracks 34. This band not only reinforces the tracks 34, but provides a stop piece for the shield 40 when the same is in lower position. An angle bar 48 secured to the upper edge of `border 42 provides a flange 48 which rests upon band 35 vwhen the shield 40 is in lower position,

as shown in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 6a, theface shield is arranged to be movable upwardly away from in front of the face. `v'I'he headband 2, tracks 34, band 35, and clip 24y are the same as shown in Fig. 6. Slide members 44a are located on the lower edge of shield 40a which can be surrounded by metal border 42a. When face shield 40a is moved to the upper position shown in Fig. 6a, the clips 24 hold the shield in'raised away from the face position. It is apparent that the shield can be easily lowered to cover the face.

A skirt 49 depends from band 35 in order to protect the throat'of the wearer. Skirt 49 is made of any protective flexible material, such as fabric, leather, or the like.

In' Fig. 6b, the face shield is divided into two 4parts`4lllb and 40e, each being surrounded by a is mounted upon tracks 34h which depend from head band 2 as shown in Fig. 6. As shield 40e is to be used to cover only the lower portion of the face, clip 24e is provided at or near the midpoint of track 34h, which clip cooperates with slide member 46c to hold shield 0c in raised position. Shield 40C carries tracks 36h, which are similar to the tracks 30 in Fig. 1, and upon which is mounted shield 40h. When shield Mib is moved upwardly, slide members 44h run in tracks 35h, and are held at the upper limit of their run by clips Zb. By making the entire shield of these two parts, the total length of the shield in downward position is short enough so that the head can be bent forwardly with the shield kept clear from the breast, so that movement is unrestricted.

A further form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. in which a curved bar 50 is spaced from head band 2, and is pivotally connected to head band 2, adjacent the temples, by pinions 52. Nuts 53, screwed to pinions '52, keep bar 50 in any angular position. Depending from bar 50 adjacent the temples, are tracks 56, similar to the tracks shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Face shield 58, surrounded by metal border 60, is slidably mounted in tracks 56 by means of the rectangular slides 14, similar to that shown in Fig. 8, but supported from border 60 by arm 62. As shown in dotted lines upon Fig. 10, the mask can be removed from in front of the face by rotating bar 50 about pivots 52, and then sliding shield 58 rearwardly until it rests over the head and out of the Way of the operator. A flexible member 6| depends from border 60 for protecting the throat of the wearer.

In Figs. 12 and 13, another modified form of mask is shown in which two curved arms 'I0v depend upwardly and outwardly from in front of the head band in order to spa-ce the shield from in front `of the face of the wearer. Shield 12, surrounded by metallic border 14, is pivotally connected at 16 to shaft 18 extending between and rotatably mounted in the arms 10. Wheels 80, at the ends oi shaft 1B, provide means for rotating shaft 18. A stop member 82 secured to the front of the head band projects outwardly to keep the shield 'l2 from rotating inwardly wherein it would contact the face of the wearer. Rearwardly of the head band, an angle piece 84 is fastened which provides a shelf for the mask 'l2 to rest upon when it is rotated to lie over top of the head of the wearer.

A further form of hinged construction is illus- -trated in Figs. 14 to 16. Secured to, and depending from head band 2, is a metal frame 90 bent to form a flat central portion 92, and fiat Wing portions 94 on each side of -the central portion. The wing portions are lled with protective sheet material, preferably transparent. Hinged to the lower frame part of central portion 92 is a frame v96 which encloses a sheet 98l of protective transparent material. Hinge |00 is provided with a stop |02, Fig. 16, so that frame 96 can be rotated only approximately 150 downwardly from its vertical position, so that when the head is bent forwardly the frame 95 will not strike the chest of the wearer. Clasp members |04 and |06 on frame 96 and S0, respectively, allow the central member 9B to be secured in positionto protect the face of the wearer. Axis H10 extends at about the level of the chin. A skirt |63 of flexible protective material depends from frame to protect the throat of the wearer.

By the constructions shown, the face of the wearer is always protected by an easily wearable apparatus. Besides affording the advantage of ventilation, the spacing of the shield from the forhead allows the operator to wear glasses unimpeded by the use of the shield. The head band can .be made of any suitable material, as of textiles, metal, or synthetic substances such as Celluloid.

Having now described a means by which the objects of this invention are obtained, what I claim ist 1. A face protector Icomprising a head band, a Ventilating space making band secured to the forward portion of said head band, a .pair of spaced trackways secured to said spacing band and arched rearwardly of said headband, and a face shield slidably mounted in said trackways.

2. A protector as in claim 1, a second shield slidably mounted upon said rst shield.

3. A protector as in claim 1, a second pair of trackways mounted upon said shield, and a second shield slidably mounted upon said second trackways.

4. A face protector comprising a head band, a first face shield, and a second face shield depending from said first shield, means for sliding said second'shield to cover said rst shield, and means for sliding -both shields to a position above said head band.

5. A face protector comprising a head band, a

' ycurved bar -pivotally connected to the temple portions of said band and adapted to be rotated from in front of the forehead to a position over the head, guideway means depending from said bar, and a face shield movably mounted in said guideway means.

6. A face protector comprising a head band adapted to be removably xed to the head of a user of the protector, trackways depending from said headband adjacent opposite sides of the face of the user, a face shield mounted for vertical sliding movement in said trackways in front of the face of the user, and means mounting said trackways upon said headband for movement to a position above said headband.

MALWIN FEILER. 

